Coming into the offseason, it seemed like the Cubs were building momentum. They were seemingly connected to every major free agent, and fans were starting to get hyped about what potential stars they could sign. However, the team hasn't made any significant moves yet as the MLB's winter meetings get ready to begin.
Even though they haven't done anything so far, that doesn't mean they're not going to do anything all winter. In fact, expect rumors to heat back up this offseason as soon as the winter meetings begin. Here are five things to look for from the Cubs as they ...

Though the Chicago Cubs failed to sign free-agent catcher Russell Martin last week, it doesn’t mean the team won’t have other intriguing options moving forward.
With plenty of money to spend on the open market this offseason and an opportunity to upgrade behind the plate, Cubs’ president Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer made it clear in early November that the team would pursue Martin.
As expected, the Cubs made a serious attempt at signing him, offering the 31-year-old a deal in the ballpark of four years and $64 million. Meanwhile, news of the reported offer prompted Ken Rosenthal of FOX ...

Even though they missed out on catcher Russell Martin in free agency, the Chicago Cubs still have plenty of targets left in play. Most free agents they currently have an interest in would be more of role players, with the exception of ace Jon Lester. Any other elite pitching they pursue this offseason could be in the form of a trade.
However, before they consider any trades, they have to see how Lester and other pitchers respond to their offers. Given its extreme youth in the outfield, the team could also go after a veteran outfielder to platoon with one of ...

In only about three years, Theo Epstein has built the Chicago Cubs farm system into one of the game’s best. Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Javier Baez and Jorge Soler are four of the most exciting young prospects in the league, and 28-year-old right-hander Jake Arrieta emerged on the scene as a potential ace with a sterling year in 2014.
The Cubs also made national headlines recently with their hiring of Joe Maddon, one of the best managers in the league. Maddon found a way to win with a Tampa Bay Rays team that was young and fairly talented. Give him a ...

The Chicago Cubs' future was on display late last summer with franchise cornerstones Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro playing on the same field as highly regarded prospects such as Javier Baez, Jorge Soler and Arismendy Alcantara.
Suffice it to say, the future is bright on the North Side of Chicago.
After stocking the Cubs farm system with top-flight hitters for almost three years, club president Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer seem poised to make a splash this season on the open market with possible pursuits of free-agent pitchers such as Jon Lester and Max Scherzer to headline the starting rotation for ...

The Chicago Cubs have embarked on what might be their most important offseason in franchise history, one that will start the team’s transformation from lovable loser to perennial World Series threat.
It starts now, and Theo Epstein will drive the push.
Epstein was hired as the team’s president three years ago. He had already broken the "Curse of the Bambino" in Boston, and the Cubs charged him with shattering their own "Curse of the Billy Goat." Having not won a World Series since 1908 or a National League pennant since 1945, the franchise is in Epstein’s hands, and he is now ready ...

Linked to major free agents this offseason like Jon Lester and Russell Martin, the Chicago Cubs are expected to make a big splash this winter in one way or another. Signing free agents is surely a way to improve the team quickly, but teams can also do that via trade.
Even though it's hard to know which rumors to listen to, the Cubs have already been linked to trade scenarios involving Cole Hamels and Jordan Zimmermann (although the Zimmermann report was later discredited).
There are plenty of other trade possibilities out there for the North Siders to pull off before the offseason fun ...

You'll know President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein finally has the Chicago Cubs ready to make a run at ending their 106-year championship drought when he strikes a deal with an old associate of his: Jon Lester.
Granted, we're technically in the realm of "if" rather than "when." The Cubs aren't any more assured to sign the 30-year-old left-hander than any other club eyeing him in free agency.
The Cubs are definitely in line for Lester, though; Bruce Levine of 670 The Score says the two sides are ready to meet formally:
It was going to come to this eventually. The rumor mill has been ...

A week after the Cubs hired Joe Maddon to be its manager—a move almost universally lauded—Chicago and Maddon's agent, Alan Nero, are under investigation by Major League Baseball for tampering.
Continue for updates.
Tuesday, Nov. 11
Theo Epstein: 'There Was No Tampering"
Carrie Muskat of MLB.com provides Epstein's comments discussing the investigation from Monday night at the general manager meetings in Phoenix:
We welcome the MLB investigation. As we said last week, there was no tampering whatsoever. I’d rather they investigate, so we can clear our names and move on from this quickly. We’re giving our full cooperation.
Monday, Nov. 10
Investigation into Maddon Hiring Revealed
The Chicago Cubs still ...

The Chicago Cubs, after the hiring of manager Joe Maddon, appear to be in buy-now mode. While they won't go nuts in free agency this season, they aren't going to hesitate to make a bold free-agent signing if the price is right. This is in clear contrast to the last three seasons in which they made under-the-radar signings that they later flipped for prospects at the following trade deadline.
As general manager Jed Hoyer acknowledged in a conference call with reporters, per ESPN Chicago's Jesse Rogers, the team has been linked to most top free agents already this offseason.
But which ones ...